Yellow Brick Road Portland

Every night of the year highly trained Yellow Brick Road community volunteer teams and professional staff walk the streets of downtown Portland making over 2,000 contacts monthly with homeless youth, building trust, helping meet their immediate needs and linking youth with services to help them get off the streets. A one-day a week stationary outreach location provides youth with connection to basic services including shower and laundry facilities, telephone and internet connection and linkage to a host of additional supportive services. Volunteers must be over 18 and are asked to make a six month commitment.

Access Center

The single point of entry for homeless youth ages 14 to 24 seeking services through Portland’s Homeless Youth Continuum, the Center screens over 700 youth each year providing engagement, intake, screening and community referrals. Youth seeking services have immediate access to basic needs and safe shelter off the streets. Screenings can be accommodated 365 days of the year between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Youth younger than 17 are referred to Harry’s Mother to determine if their needs can be met through services specifically designed for minors.

Street Light Shelter

With shelter capacity for 30 young people nightly, Street Light provides safe shelter and a range of supportive services for youth ages 15 to 23 who are actively engaged in exiting street life. Youth are able to have a “standing reservation” at the shelter for up to four months.

Bridge House

One of the original seven federal Transitional Living Programs established in 1986 and the only one still in operation, Bridge House provides a safe, supportive, supervised home environment for seven youth ages 16 to 20 that meet homeless criteria. Bridge House also serves pregnant or parenting youth with children under the age of two. Incorporating resident participation in all program decision making, Bridge House empowers youth to support themselves and work toward fulfilling their educational or employment needs.

To apply for Bridge House, please complete an application and return to bridgehouse@janusyouth.org, fax to (503) 234-5561 or hand deliver to 4015 SE Madison, Portland, OR 97214. Once Bridge House receives your application, they will contact you to schedule an interview. Please note there is typically a one to two month wait list.

Changes

An independent living program for youth ages 16 to 20 that meet homeless criteria, Changes provides basic financial assistance with initial move-in costs such as a security deposit, application fee or cleaning fee for an apartment, and case management support to youth ready to live on their own.

To apply for Changes, please complete an application and return to changes@janusyouth.org, fax to (503) 234-5561 or hand deliver to 4015 SE Madison, Portland, OR 97214. Once Changes receives your application, they will contact you to schedule an interview. Please note there is typically a one to two month wait list.